Jana

What were your favorite junior nationals you have attended?

I attended the 2019 Shorthorn Junior Nationals in Lebanon, Tennessee! This was such an exciting week of connecting with other exhibitors from all across the country. I also really enjoyed getting to compete in several contests outside of the show. This allowed me to learn more about the beef industry and develop various skills!

What are your favorite show snacks?

My mom always makes ham rolls for our shows. They are the best!

Best advice to give to a junior going to junior nationals?

Take advantage of every opportunity! Make lots of new friends! 

What not to forget?

Don’t forget playing cards! My friends and I love playing card games in our downtime!

What is the first thing you put on or in your trailer before leaving?

Show clothes! Multiple times, I have walked past my garment bag on the way out of the door. I have learned to make sure I grab those first!

What do you make sure to pack for yourself?

I never know what kind of hair day I will have, so I always pack extra bobby pins and hair spray.

Ashley

What were your favorite junior nationals you have attended?

My favorite junior national was the 2020 Santa Gertrudis Junior Nationals in Texarkana, Arkansas. It was a hot one, but I had so much fun! Overall, I was happy with my placement in classes and contests. That year I met more friends, connected with old ones, and just had the time of our lives, making memories that will last a lifetime!

What are your favorite show snacks?

I LOVE Ice Cream! That’s one thing, and I know all the Ice Cream spots at every state fair we exhibit. After a long day, a cookie and cream waffle cone is calling my name.

Best advice to give to a junior going to junior nationals?

The first junior nationals I went to as an exhibitor, I wish I would be done more and gotten out and connected with other juniors. I was shy and thought just a small-town girl with two cows. The best advice I can give you is don’t be like me, go out and talk to other juniors, hang out in a different state, and enjoy your time because it goes by so fast.

What not to forget?

Water Hose!!! I can’t tell you how many times we forgot our hose until we bought one that never left the trailer.

What is the first thing you put on or in your trailer before leaving?

Since we keep everything we need on the trailer all year and organize when we get home, I ensure we have show sticks. I have short arms, so I have an extra-large show stick for my larger cows and a medium for smaller calves.

What do you make sure to pack for yourself?

I make sure to pack my show harness. My harness stays in the office hung up, so I hang my show clothes with it.

Kaylee

What were your favorite junior nationals you have attended?

I have attended quite a handful of junior nationals for other breeds. My favorite was the 2020 Hereford junior nationals in Kansas City. That was an extremely hard year, and I didn’t finish my year like I wanted. It was mind-blowing to see how everyone was able to put it together. 

What are your favorite show snacks?

At shows, all I do is snack; I don’t eat any real meals unless we go out for dinner. I am a beef jerky person and will eat it any time of the day. I also enjoy Cheez-its, and my mom will slice up summer sausage and cubed cheese or slices, which is like my go-to snack. 

Best advice to give to a junior going to junior nationals?

Whether it’s your first or last or somewhere in-between, I feel that going to junior nationals is easy to forget to have fun as you are there. If you are like me, you are running from contest to contest and continuously caring for the cattle you brought. Take a moment and absorb everything around you. You are in a place for over a week with like-minded people who share the same passion you do. Make friends, hang out with friends, and grow your connections. 

What not to forget? Do not forget your belt, boots, feed scoop, show stick, and poop fork. These things are some of my family’s most overlooked items. So, remember to pack these items before you leave. 

What is the first thing you put on or in your trailer before leaving?

Typically the first thing I load onto my trailer when packing is feed. This usually goes into the nose, so it’s easier to load it than close the nose and start loading everything else. Next is usually panels, as those must be positioned, and you can stack things around them. Something I must check on the trailer before I leave is show sticks and a poop fork. 

What do you make sure to pack for yourself?

I usually make sure that my lucky number harness is packed. However, I triple-check that road snacks, drinks, earbuds, and chargers are packed before any adventure.